Is it too early for Christmas talk? Well, that depends, there seem to be two kinds of people – those who like to plan and do early, and the last minute people who get stressed out on the 15th of December. Well for those of you who are the latter but with to be the former, there are few things that you can employ right now to get your planning underway – it is the middle of the year after all!
If you find yourself packing and posting off gifts to family and friends who live in different countries, or just not too local in the UK and never quite making the deadlines, or you wish you could send something more significant, then you need to check out shipping companies. One of the best ways to ship large items is of course by courier, but who really has time to get the best quote? You can use Shiply and take the hassle out of it.
Make a list and check it twice. Have you ever accidentally forgotten a gift for someone and had to make a last minute dash to the shops to get it? Make a list of immediate family, then other people in the family, then start to add on friends, then maybe your children’s friends too. While you’re at it, include teachers also. Because you are starting so early this year, you have time to manage it all with ease. Next, to each person, put an item or idea you think you’d like to get.
Set a budget. For each of the people categories above, set a budget. When you start early, it is really easy to buy far too much. Instead, set a budget per person and once you reach the budget tick them off the list and move on. You now have a combination of who – what – how much, meaning you’re less likely to start panic buying, you’re more likely to shop smart. The budget being set will help you make it an all-cash Christmas, meaning you won’t be stuck paying things off until midway through next year.
Make things by hand. There are plenty of things that you can make throughout the year that will be perfect to give at Christmas time. From creating Kilner jars filled with cookie or cake ingredients to handmade soaps and photo albums. All of these gifts take time to get right, and if you are making them for more than one person, it’s nice to give each item your full attention.
You can have the festive scene of your dreams. When you plan things this early, it also gives you plenty of time to order in unique decorations, the perfect tree and to make some new decorations with the kids too. No more last minute ‘decking the halls’ but more like a glorious sprinkling of the festive season. You even have time to order in some imported festive treats from other countries! Yum!
When you prepare, plan and start early you can get everything done, and truly just enjoy the time with family.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.